BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The invention generally relates to storage enclosures mounted for vertical movements and more specifically to a wall-mounted sliding storage enclosure with a fail-safe position fixing mechanism.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Storage cabinets and like enclosures have been known that are designed to move between a lower position providing a user with access to the enclosures for placing items into or removing items from the enclosures and an upper position closer to the ceiling that utilize space that is normally not used. As such extra storage can be used for storing seasonal items, such as winter clothing in the summer and summer clothing in the winter. Seldom used items such as books, serving pieces and the like can also be conveniently stored in such cabinets that do not take up valuable space or interfere with the movements of occupants or other objects that must be maintained at the floor level, such as tables, couches, televisions and the like.
The known movable storage cabinets, however, have typically been bulky, heavy and required complicated mechanisms for raising and lowering the cabinets and to ensure that the cabinets can be used safely. Many of these known systems have utilized multiple pulleys that allowed users to pull on a line to raise the cabinets to increase the mechanical advantage, reducing the levels of forces and that users must exert to raise a given weight of cabinets and contents.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide a wall-mounted sliding storage enclosure with a fail-safe position fixing mechanism.
It is another object of the invention to provide a wall-mounted sliding storage system that is a simple in construction and economical to manufacture.
It is still another object of the invention to provide a wall-mounted sliding storage system that is convenient to use.
It is yet another object of the invention to provide a wall-mounted sliding storage system, as in the previous object that utilizes few mechanical components to render the system reliable.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a wall-mounted sliding storage system as in the previous objects that includes a simple and reliable mechanism for reliably fixing the position of the cabinets at any desired height.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a system as in the previous object a motion-arresting mechanism that is failsafe and automatically prevents the cabinets from dropping or freely falling even when the user inadvertently releases a movement-actuating mechanism on the cabinets.
It is still a further object of the invention to provide a wall-mounted sliding storage system that can be used with or without a pulley for raising or lowering the cabinets.
It is yet a further object of the invention to provide a wall-mounted sliding storage system of the type under discussion that is simple to assemble and install by an end-user.
In order to achieve the above objects, as wall as others that will become apparent hereinafter, a wall-mounted sliding storage enclosure is mounted for sliding movements along a vertically supported rod. The rod extends through the enclosure and through a clutch plate that is supported by the enclosure, and follows the movements thereof. The clutch plate and rod cooperate to allow unfettered movements of the cabinets in an upward direction along the rod while automatically locking and arresting the movements of the cabinets in the downward direction. The clutch plate is suitably biased to move to a blocking condition for arresting the cabinets whenever the cabinets are released by the user. The clutch plate can be manually moved, against the action of the biasing spring, to an unlocked condition either by manually deflecting the clutch plate or by attaching the clutch plate to a line that can be pulled by the user.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, as illustrated in the appended drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of movable enclosures, cabinets, or bins mounted on a wall of a living quarter in accordance with the present invention, one being shown in a lowered position to provide access to allow placement of objects into or remove objects from the enclosure, cabinet or bin, and one shown in a raised position in which it is out of the way and does not occupy or interfere with the living space normally occupied by users or inhabitants;
FIG. 2
a is an enlarged cross sectional view of the cabinets shown in FIG. 1, taken along a vertical cutting plane and showing the details for mounting the cabinets for vertical sliding movements between an upper storage position and a lower access position and, in an enlarged detail also showing a modified construction in which a helical compression spring is replaced by a leaf spring;
FIG. 2
b is a cross sectional view of the upper plug shown in FIG. 2a, taken along a horizontal cutting plane normal to the supporting rod but prior to being coupled to the rod;
FIGS. 3
a-3d are enlarged fragmented views of the underside of a cabinet, illustrating the manner in which the clutch plate and rod or post are assembled;
FIGS. 4
a-4d are similar to FIGS. 3a-3d, but showing an alternate embodiment in which the clutch plate is arranged along a direction substantially parallel to the mounting surface while in FIGS. 4a-4d the mounting plate is arranged along a direction generally normal to the mounting surface;
FIGS. 5
a-5c are fragmented views of a section of a mounting surface, in the form of a wall, showing upper and lower supporting mounting brackets for supporting the rod or post on which the cabinets are slidingly mounted;
FIG. 6
a is a perspective view of a movable cabinets of the type illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, in which the cabinet has an access opening and movable doors at the front of thereof;
FIG. 6
b is similar to FIG. 6a but showing a further embodiment provided with an upper or top opening while the front wall is a closed panel;
FIG. 7 is a rear perspective view of the cabinet shown in FIG. 6a, illustrating a further detail on the cabinet for accommodating a mounting bracket when stationed at the upper position;
FIG. 8
a is a top plan view of a modified clutch plate provided with lateral lips or ridges to assure retention of a elongate force-applying rod maintains contact with the plate while the plate is actuated to release the plate from the rod to slide the cabinet along the rod;
FIG. 8
b is a side elevation view of the clutch plate shown in FIG. 8a;
FIG. 9
a is a fragmented view of an alternate embodiment of the invention in which the moving cabinet is suspended and its height adjusted by means of a line and pulley mechanism, the clutch plate being arranged in a position that allows free vertical movements of the cabinet;
FIG. 9
b is a cross-sectional view of the arrangement is shown in FIG. 9a, taken along line 9b-9b;
FIG. 10
a illustrates additional details of the embodiment shown in FIG. 9a, with the clutch plate arranged in a position to prevent movement of the cabinet on the supporting rod and thereby arresting the downward movements of the cabinet;
FIG. 10
b is similar to FIG. 9b, but for the condition shown in FIG. 10a, taken along line 10b-10b;
FIG. 11 is similar to FIG. 7, illustrating additional details and modifications of the cabinet when used with the pulley system shown in FIG. 10a;
FIG. 12 is a side elevational view of a plurality or system of sliding cabinets in accordance with the invention, similar to those shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 13
a is a side elevation view, partially in cross section, of a combination handle/spool in for rolling up excess or slack line after the cabinet has been pulled up to the ceiling or uppermost position;
FIG. 13
b the is a top elevational view of the handle/spool shown in FIG. 13a;
FIG. 14
a is a side elevational view of the handle/spool shown in FIG. 13a on which excess line has been wound; and
FIG. 14
b is similar to FIG. 14a, showing the position that the handle assumes after the line has been wound about it.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring now specifically to the Figures, in which identical or similar parts will be designated by the same reference numerals throughout, and first referring to FIG. 1, the cabinets, in accordance with the present invention are generally designated by the reference numeral 10.
The cabinets 10 are shown mounted on a wall 12 with a door 14. The ceiling is designated by the reference 16. If the frame of the door 14 has a height corresponding to a standard height for such openings the movable cabinets 10 are intended to be a slidably movable, as to be more fully described below, between an upper position against or proximate to the ceiling 16 to a lowered position generally coextensive with the height upper end of the frame of the door. However, the cabinets can to be mounted for movements to a position below upper horizontal portion of the doorframe, with different degrees of advantage. It will be appreciated that one of the cabinet 10 is shown in its uppermost position where it is out of the way and does not interfere with the living space for those people that occupy the living quarters. In such position, the cabinets 10 may be used to store items, temporarily or over a longer term, such as seasonal items. Thus, for example, the cabinet 10U could be used to store winter coats in the summer, ski boots, toys and the like. In the lowered position, the cabinet 10L is brought down sufficiently to provide ready access for placement of items within the cabinets or removal of such items from the cabinets. The cabinets 10 are slidingly mounted for vertical movements along the rod 18, as to be described.
Referring to FIG. 2a each cabinet, in accordance with one embodiment, comprises an enclosure 20 having a top wall 20a, a lower wall 20b, a rear wall 20c and an open slide or end 20d. The lower wall 20b is provided with a boss or enlarged portion 20e. Within the boss 20e there is provided a bore 20f. Extending slightly below the lowermost part of the boss 20d is a limit stop 22 spaced from the bottom wall 20b to create a space or gap 20g. A helical compression spring 26 is received within and extends beyond the bore 20f as shown. In place of the helical compression spring 26 a leaf spring 26′ may be used as shown in the enlarged detail of FIG. 2a.
Inserted into the or gap 20g is a generally flat clutch plate 24 having a first portion 24a extending forwardly of the rod 28 and a portion 24b extending rearwardly of the rod 28, with the rod extending through a hole 24c with some clearance, the hole being dimensioned such that the clutch plate can move freely upwardly and generally along the rod 28 when the clutch plate is arranged in a generally horizontal orientation or substantially normal to the rod 28 and a create a frictional engagement with the rod when the clutch plate assumes an offset angle from the horizontal, as shown. The compression spring 26 is seated within the bore 20f and makes contact with the front portion 24a of the clutch plate 24 to normally bias it in a clockwise direction, as viewed in FIG. 2a, causing the clutch plate to pivot about the free edge of the limit stop 22 and move the rear portion 24b into a frictional engagement mode, arresting downward movements of the clutch plate relative to the rod 28 and, therefore, also stopping or arresting the enclosure 20 and preventing its free fall to the lowermost portion of the rod.
The arrangement of the rod 28, the clutch plate 24 and the spring 26 together form a wall known sliding clutch plate arrangement of the type of frequently used on caulk gun dispensers, and disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,595,327 and 6,155,463. The specific details of such a sliding clutch mechanism is not, therefore, required as these are well known to those skilled in the art. It is sufficient to state that the spring 26 normally biases the clutch plate 24 to a locking position since the spring causes the plate to move to a position offset from a normal position relative to the rod or post 28. However, when the clutch plate 24 is forced or returned to its normal orientation, as shown in the lower cabinet in FIG. 2a the clutch plate is moved from its locking or braking position to a position that allows the clutch plate and the enclosure 20 to freely move upwardly or downwardly.
Referring to FIGS. 2a and 5a-5c, the cabinets are supported on a vertical rod 28 by means of an upper U-shaped bracket 30 and a lower U-shaped bracket 32. The upper bracket 30 has an upper plate 30a and a lower plate 30b and a side connecting plate 30c. The upper plate 30a has a hole 30d and the lower plate 30b has a hole 30e. The upper plate 32a has a hole 32d substantially vertically aligned with the holes 30d and 30e. The holes 30d, 30e and 32d are generally aligned along a vertical axis A. (FIG. 5a). The holes 30f and 32e allow the brackets to be connected to a wall 42 by means of fasteners in the form of screws 54. The wall 42 maybe sheet-rock, plaster or the like, secured to wooden beams within a wall, such as vertical beam 40 in FIG. 5a. The cabinets may also be mounted on any other suitable surface capable of supporting the loads of the cabinets and anticipated or specified weights of contents.
Once the brackets 30, 32 are mounted on the wall 42 the rod 28 can be inserted into the brackets by initially lowering the rod 28 through the upper bracket holes 30d, 30e and then inserting it into the bracket 32 by means of the hole 32d. The holes in the brackets have diameters substantially equal to the diameter of the rod or post 28, although sufficient clearance is provided to allow the rod to be freely inserted through the holes, as suggested in FIG. 5b. Once the rod 28 is fully lowered into the lower bracket 32 and engages the solid lower plate 32b, the bracket supports the rod and prevents it from moving downwardly thereby assuring that the rod 28 continues to be secured and maintained within the upper bracket 30.
Referring to FIGS. 2a, 5b and 5c, an upper plug 50 is provided for enclosing the interior of the upper bracket 30 after the post 28 has been positioned as shown, and similarly a lower plug 52 is used for covering the interior of the bracket 32. As best as shown in FIG. 2b each plug 50 has a solid front surface 50b and side surfaces 50d, 50e, while a generally U-shaped channel 50g is arranged within each plug and secured by means of ribs 50f to position the channel 50g in a position and orientation to snap-fit unto the rod 28 when the respective plug is forced into an associated bracket, the fingers 50c being configured to act as a snap clip for releasably engaging the rod to cover the bracket and provide a finished decorative appearance. Additionally, the upper plug 50 has a top plate 50a and a front plate 50b, the top plate blocking the hole 30d after the post or rod 28 has been inserted to prevent upward movements of the rod and locking the rod in place between the two brackets. The lower plug 52 is essentially decorative and matches the upper plug 50 in terms of appearance.
Assembly of the movable cabinets is simple and convenient and can be performed by an average consumer essentially with only a screwdriver. An enclosure 20 is arranged, as shown in FIG. 2a, so that the holes 28a′, 28b′ at the top and bottom walls 28a, 20b are generally aligned with the axis A. The holes 28a′, 28b′ have dimensions selected to receive the rod 28 with clearance, gap or space * to insure that the rod can be freely moved through the holes especially when the upper and lower walls 20a, 20b are maintained in horizontal planes to insure that the angle θ maintained at substantially 90°. This insures that the rod 28 continues to freely pass through the holes without engaging inner edges of the holes. The desired angle can be maintained or promoted by using more rigid materials for the cabinet, reinforcing the cabinet with ribs, posts, etc., adding lateral or end walls to the cabinet, and/or increasing the vertical spacing between the upper and lower walls 20a, 20b. However, any suitable means may be used individually or in combination to rigidify or enhance the special integrity of the cabinet.
The rod 28 is first inserted through the holes 30d, 30e in the upper bracket 30 and then extended through the cabinet enclosure itself, including through the hole 24c of the clutch plate 24, and subsequently through the hole 32d.
When the cabinet is in the lowered position the interior of the enclosure becomes accessible and items may be placed therein or removed there from. After items are placed within a cabinet the enclosure weight and the weight of the contents W (FIG. 2a) act through a center of mass C to create a moment that tends to rotate the cabinet in a clockwise direction, as suggested by the arrow R. The weight or load serves to urge the clutch plate 24 to the braking position, ensuring that adequate braking force is provided to prevent the cabinets from moving downwardly. However, when it is necessary to move the cabinets upwardly or downwardly along direction M a suitable upward force F is applied to the clutch plate, as shown in FIG. 2a, by leveling the clutch plate or moving it to a horizontal position perpendicular to the axis A. This releases the clutch plate from the rod and allows the cabinet to be urged upwardly when the force F is sufficiently high to overcome the weight or load W of the cabinet and its contents the cabinet will slide upwardly. However, as soon as the force F is removed the compression spring 26 returns the clutch plate 24 to its braking position and arrests further movements, especially downward movements of the cabinets.
The sequence of steps during assembly is illustrated in FIGS. 3a-3d, where the spring 26 is initially inserted into the bore 20f. The clutch plate 24 is subsequently inserted within the gap or space 20g to align the hole 24c with the axis A of the rod 28. Once the post or rod 28 has been inserted, the clutch plate 24 may be released and the compression spring 26 urges it to the deflected or inclined to an offset position where it will provide braking for the cabinet until the clutch plate 24 is manually pushed upwardly. In this connection, the clutch plate 24 may be pushed upwardly to the releasing position in any suitable manner, including manually or with a long pole that can be used not only to release the clutch plate but also to apply the force F to raise the cabinet to an upper storage position. For this purpose, the clutch plate 24 may be provided with side or lateral lips 24d, 24e and a front lip 24f to secure a pusher rod or post engaged within the free end of the clutch plate to prevent it from slipping off the plate during actuations of the plate or application of the force F.
In FIGS. 4a-4d a similar assembly procedure is illustrated in which the clutch plate 24 is oriented along a direction generally parallel to the supporting surface or wall as opposed to being oriented normal or perpendicular to the wall, as shown in FIGS. 3a-3d.
Referring to FIG. 6a the cabinet 10 or enclosure 20 is shown mounted on a rod or post 28 and provided with front doors 55, 56 for accessing the interior of the cabinet from the front when it is lowered. In FIG. 6b a different embodiment of the enclosure is shown that is provided with a top opening 58, in which case a solid front wall or panel of 59 is provided that may be painted, wallpapered, or otherwise imported with a decorative finish.
In FIG. 7, a detail is shown at the back of the enclosure 20 that includes a recess 60 along the upper corner formed by the top and rear walls. The recess 60 is configured and dimensioned to receive the upper bracket 30 so that the cabinet or enclosure may be raised to the full limit proximate to the ceiling without interference from the bracket, which is received within the recess 60.
Referring to FIGS. 9a, 9b, an alternate embodiment 62 is illustrated in which the cabinet is 64 is provided with an upper wall 66 formed with a wall 68 including a lower wall portion 70 having an opening 72 therein. A feature of this embodiment is the provision of a pulley or block enclosure 74 mounted on the wall 42 and includes a pulley wheel or block 79 over which extends a line 80 having an end 80a extending from the opening 72 and secured to the clutch plate 24 by means of an enlargement, such as a knot or bead 80c. The end of the line 80a extends along the wall within a channel 82 formed at the rear of the cabinet or enclosure, as best shown in FIG. 11. A suitable fastener 78 is provided for attaching the pulley wheel or block 79 to the wall 42. The rod or post 28 is arranged between the two line portion is 80a, 80b and extends up to the block enclosure 74, as shown. The fastener 78 includes a first portion 78a that has a smooth cylindrical surface and a threaded portion 78b suitable for being is screwed into the wall.
Details at the rear of the cabinet 64 are shown, in FIG. 11, including the upper wall 66a in the recess 60 and a transverse wall or membrane 66b at a lower recess 60′, holes H1, H2 being provided in the upper wall 66a for accommodating the line portion 80a and the line portion 80b, respectively. This ensures that the line portions are maintained on the pulley or block 79 and prevents pulling of the line portion 80b at an extreme or excessive angle from the vertical direction so that the line portions are maintained in the vertical direction in the region of the pulley or block and prevents inadvertent removal of the line from the pulley or block.
As will be evident from the FIGS. 9a, 9b, when a tension T is applied to the free end portion 80b of the line 80a and pulled upwardly, the clutch plate 24 is raised against the action of the spring 26, to the extent permitted by stop or boss S. The size of the boss S is selected to limit rotation of the clutch plate 24 beyond the horizontal, thereby maintaining the clutch plate in a horizontal position perpendicular to the rod or post to 28. This allows the line 80 to be pulled by a user to unlock to raise the cabinets. When the line portion 80b is released and the tension is significantly reduced to zero, the clutch plate 24 is urged to rotate in a clockwise direction as a result of the spring 26. This locks the clutch plate within the cabinet when the clutch plate frictionally engages the rod. Therefore, as soon as the line is released the sliding clutch plate mechanism provides a failsafe braking action that prevents inadvertent or accidental release of the cabinets that might result in its freefall.
With the embodiment 62, that uses a line for raising and lowering the cabinets, the free end 80b of the line could typically hang down to a point sufficiently low that it can be grasped by young children. To avoid a potential safety hazard, the present invention contemplates a method of winding the long free end of the line to maintain the lower end of the line out of reach of children. Referring to FIGS. 13a, 13b, 14a and 14b, the free end of the line 80b may extend through the opening 89 in a handle 90; a bulbous portion in the form of a knot 80c may be used to secure the line portion 80b to the handle. The handle is formed of two diametrically opposite wings 90a, 90b, with a groove or recess 90c being provided in at least one of the wings as shown. When the line 80b has been pulled down sufficiently to bring the cabinet to its uppermost position, the excess line is preferably wound about the wings 90a, 90b by placing the line within the U-shaped recess 90d. A portion of the line that is proximate to but not a wound upon the spool handle may be press-fit within a locking groove or recess 90c to prevent the handle or spool from unwinding the line. This ensures that the line will be out of reach when the cabinet is at its uppermost position.
It will be clear that the embodiment 10 that does not utilize a pulley wheel or block 79 is simpler in construction, avoids a hanging line and may be more aesthetically pleasing. An advantage of the embodiment 62 that utilizes the pulley wheel is that the pulley wheel provides mechanical advantage and a user only needs to pull on a line with a tension that is approximately equal to one half of the weight or load of the cabinet, whereas the fill weight or load must be compensated by the upwardly-directed force F applied to the pressure plate, as shown in FIG. 2a.
Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.
Patent Application
20110298346
